Smoke and fire map: Wildfire forces Ruidoso evacuation
The South Fork Fire grew to over 13,000 acres overnight forcing the evacuation of the entire Village of Ruidoso and the Village of Mescalero in Lincoln County.
On June 17 the South Fork Fire ignited inside Lincoln National Forest and on Mescalero Apache Tribal lands.
A second wildfire is also burning nearby, and while firefighters are combatting the blazes officials expressed concern that forecasted winds will push the fires to grow.
As residents in those communities flee, other New Mexico communities are contenting with impacted air quality as the smoke is being carried hundreds of miles.
New Mexico: As of this morning The South Fork Fire was estimated at 13,921 acres and the Salt Fire was estimated at 4,800 acres. #wildfire #nmfire #saltfire #southforkfire
These fires ran fast, an unconfirmed amount of structures were lost.
Crews and fire managers will start… pic.twitter.com/FUryoNos2s— The Hotshot Wake Up (@HotshotWake) June 18, 2024
Watch live cam of the Village of Ruidoso: New fire start billows smoke over Lincoln County community
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Village of Ruidoso residents ordered to evacuate, 500 buildings burned
An evacuation order was activated July 17 for the Village of Ruidoso as the South Fork Fire stretched to 13,921 acres, according to a news release from the New Mexico State Forestry Division.
Nearby the Salt Fire is also burning forcing the evacuation Chatto Bluff, Apache Summit, Fantasy Lane, homes along Highway 70 from Highway 244 to the east Reservation line, Bear Canyon, and Snow Canyon, according to the news release. It has grown to 4,900 acres.
Seven shelters are now open in Roswell, where those fleeing the fire were told to travel. The Mescalero Apache Tribe has also set up a shelter at the Community Center Gymnasium. About 270 people have reported to the shelters in Roswell, and 120 to the shelter in Capitan.
Officials reported that about 500 buildings had been burned by the South Fork Fire, though the types of buildings were not reported.
Neither fire has reached any kind of containment as of June 18.
How many fires are burning in New Mexico?
Penn Scott Fire: Unknown
South Fork Fire: 20 acres
Antone Fire : 12,396 acres
Indios Fire: 11,500 acres
Antelop and Cottonwood Creek Wildfires: 1,421 acres
Glorieta Fire: 1 acre
Mitt Fire: Single tree snag
Blue 2 Fire: 7,532 acres
In the Gila National Forest, the Antone Fire continues to burn, having consumed 12,396 acres and was 60% contained with 72 personnel supporting the incident by June 17.
Air quality in Las Cruces not yet impacted by New Mexico wildfires
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's AirNOW website shows smoke from the fires burning in Lincoln County is being carried in an early direction toward Chaves County.
Air quality was reported poor in Hondo, Picacho, Roswell, Capitan and Ruidoso Downs. Further east smoke can be detected in the air in Dexter.
Air quality in the southern counties of Doña Ana, Otero, Eddy and Lea counties remained free of impact from smoke.
Las Cruces had an Air Quality Index of 43 with a "good" rating on June 18.
Officials offer supportive words
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham thanked firefighters who are actively fighting the South Fork and Salt fires.
“My administration is in close contact with state, tribal and federal officials about the status of these fast-moving fires, and we are quickly deploying as many resources as possible to protect people and property," Lujan Grisham wrote in a statement issued June 17.
"I strongly urge residents of Ruidoso and the surrounding areas to remain calm and heed official instructions to help minimize risk."
She was joined in her support by Republican House and Senate members who represent the area: Harlan Vincent (R-Ruidoso Downs), Jim Townsend (R-Artesia), and Candy Spence Ezzell (R-Roswell).
“We want to express our appreciation and thanks to all of the first responders who are working to contain the South Fork fire,” said Representatives Vincent, Townsend, and Ezzell. “These situations can become extremely dangerous very quickly and require everyone to work together to ensure the safety of the entire community. We are proud to note that the efforts of these First Responders are having a significant impact in helping to limit fire damage. Equally important, we are asking residents in and around the Ruidoso area to be prepared to leave as evacuation orders are updated.”
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: A wildfire in Ruidoso has pumped smoke into New Mexico's air
